Hundreds of adults and children braved early morning rain to celebrate the official opening of the multi-million dollar CPlay playground.
An opening party was held on Sunday to acknowledge the completion of the seven-year project and officially hand over the playground to the Timaru District Council.
CPlay chairman Owen Jackson said the first word that came to mind was relief.
‘‘We’ve finally got to this point and we can finally open it to the public.
‘‘I never ever thought we wouldn’t get here, I’ve always had that belief we would make it happen, but there were definitely a few sleepless nights.
‘‘We went through Covid and had budgets blow out and that made it really hard and difficult at times, but through baby steps we made it over the finish line.’’
The party was all about celebrating the people who dedicated their time, money and effort to make the playground a reality.
‘‘It’s a chance for the volunteers to be celebrated, they are the ones who have put in the hard work, have put in the mahi over the last five years or so.
‘‘It’s just about celebrating them and celebrating the community and the fact they made the donations to get the playground open.’’
With the fences quietly removed last week for a soft open, the response so far had been great, he said.
‘‘The playground ticks so many different boxes, so for different people it means different things.
‘‘Jono Nelson the paracyclist came down and had a swing in one of the swings designed specifically for people like him and he said ‘I haven’t been in a swing for years, I felt like a big kid again’.
‘‘People have had a great time coming down over the last week and so have we — just coming down and watching people enjoying it and seeing lots of smiles and happy faces everywhere.’’
Despite handing over the playground to the council, the volunteers would always have a special connection to it.
‘‘It’s a part of us and we’re a part of it, so for those volunteers that have been on this journey this will always have some sort of special place in our hearts.’’
Organised by CPlay volunteer Louise Haley, the party began with formal speeches to thank the volunteers and donors.
The volunteers were then all awarded community service awards by Timaru District Councillor Stacey Scott, who also officially opened the playground by ringing the shipwreck’s bell.
The children were treated to a lolly scramble and visits by their favourite characters and tucked into an impressive cake that depicted the playground, designed by Just Eat Cake owner Felicity Gabites and Designer Cakes maker and designer Tracy Johnson.
Police officers and firefighters were in attendance, helping young children through the obstacle course as well as having a crack themselves.
Firefighters Donna Lindsay and Jesse Shearer also took the chance to give those there a lesson on fire safety with a controlled fat fire demonstration.
CPlay volunteer Roselyn Fauth said she was not emotionally prepared to see all their hard work come to fruition.
‘‘Nothing really prepares you for witnessing the joy of people discovering a new playground for the first time.
‘‘You see people using things that they never have and I just didn’t expect to feel like that.
‘‘You do it on paper and work your arse off to try and understand what people want, but you never really know until it gets used.’’
When she first joined as a volunteer she thought it was all about the outcome.
‘‘I’ve learnt over this period that it’s also about the journey.
‘‘Being able to do that as a family has been quite incredible.’’
Her husband Chris was also a volunteer on the project and an instrumental part in reaching the end goal.
‘‘Our kids have got to experience amazing things, like meetings with mayors and helping to recycle rubber in the factory,’’ she said.
‘‘They were a little disappointed as my youngest realised a month ago they we weren’t building it just for her, so she’s had to adjust to sharing.’’
Anyone wanting to go out and volunteer should just do it, a sentiment shared by Mr Jackson.
‘‘If you’re a community group and you want to see something happen, then make it happen, you can,’’ he said.
‘‘Just surround yourself with really good passionate people.
‘‘There is lots of help out there — just reach out and work with the likes of the council and other community groups.
‘‘It can be done, it might look big in the beginning but just simple steps and you’ll get there.’’
The playground is now open to the public with the hope it will be a staple of the region for many generations to come.
